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Terrorist Motivations, Extreme Violence, and the Pursuit of Weapons of Mass
Destruction (WMD)
Jaime Gomez, Jr.
Abstract
This essay examines the rationale behind terrorists’ attempts to use weapons of
mass destruction. The essay explores this theme by comparing Aum Shinrikyo and
al Qaeda in order to assess the extent to which their actions were the result of
strategic choice or the expression of internal group dynamics. Groups such as al
Qaeda, which are motivated by strategic choice, are more predictable, if their
goals are properly understood, and more likely to respond rationally than are
groups such as Aum, which can reflect the idiosyncratic psychopathology of the
leader. However, since both types of groups can pursue weapons of mass
destruction, the most important goal in counterterrorism should be to make WMD
technology and existing nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons more difficult
to obtain. Succeeding in this goal will reduce the probability of a catastrophe;
however, it will not eliminate the lesser but nonetheless horrific destruction
achievable through conventional weapons, especially when creatively used as on
9/11. To make progress on this front, we must continue to increase our
understanding of how the varieties of terrorist and other destructive groups
operate, psychologically as well as politically and strategically.
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